CarModelProblems.com

2003 Ford Escape Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
558Complaints
9Recalls
43Crashes
27Fires
31Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension (14.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Suspension complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension79 · 14.2%RecalledRecall 15E045000
Vehicle Speed Control65 · 11.6%RecalledRecall 04V574000
Structure:body50 · 9%RecalledRecall 14V165000
Steering42 · 7.5%No official action
Air Bags38 · 6.8%No official action
Electrical System29 · 5.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION79 · 14.2%
STEERING42 · 7.5%
AIR BAGS38 · 6.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29 · 5.2%
STRUCTURE29 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC25 · 4.5%
POWER TRAIN24 · 4.3%
ENGINE24 · 4.3%

Percentages are the share of the 558 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 9 campaigns

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 15V606000 · 2015 · reported 09/29/2015

If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:wheel Bearing

NHTSA campaign 15E045000 · 2015 · reported 06/03/2015

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:frame And Members

NHTSA campaign 14V165000 · 2014 · reported 04/02/2014

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 12V353000 · 2012 · reported 07/26/2012

A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 07V156000 · 2007 · reported 04/10/2007

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

NHTSA campaign 04V574000 · 2004 · reported 12/07/2004

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

NHTSA campaign 07E023000 · 2007 · reported 03/29/2007

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

NHTSA campaign 04V602000 · 2004 · reported 12/20/2004

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 04V165000 · 2004 · reported 04/06/2004

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE KNUCKLE SEPARATION OFF THE SUSPENSION CAUSED ACCIDENT. *NLM”NHTSA complaint 10025123 — filed 06/27/2003 · SUSPENSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

282011474520139060201544472017153320191692021122023222025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Escape?

Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 79 of 558 NHTSA complaints (14.2%), followed by vehicle speed control (65), structure:body (50), steering (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford Escape have?

558 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 43 involved a crash, 27 involved a fire, and 31 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V606000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Ford Escape's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.